Candidates face the music

Candidates of all political colours reached rare consensus on GLBT issues at the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLRL) meet the candidates forum at the Grandview Hotel, Brunswick West over the weekend.

Liberal candidate for Wills Claude Tomisich said he believes in gay marriage and not civil unions, and also supported anti-discrimination legislation covering sexuality and gender identity.

“I don’t have a problem at all with same-sex marriages,” Tomisich said. “There’s a little bit of sympathy out there [in the Liberal Party], believe it or not.”

In the last days before the election candidates for the seats of Melbourne and Wills lined up to answer questions from a small group of voters — with more agreement than not on GLBT issues.

The forum line-up included Melbourne hopefuls Adam Bandt (Greens), Cath Bowtell (Labor), David Collyer (Democrats), Joel Murray (Australian Sex Party) and Penelope Green (Secular Party).

Also on the panel were Wills candidates Trent Hawkins (Socialist Alliance) and Mark Riley (Greens), as well as Tomisich.

Consensus was reached on support for same-sex marriage; including sexuality and gender identity in federal anti-discrimination legislation and addressing mental health issues for same-sex attracted youth.

Asked for a commitment not to overlook gender identity in federal anti-discrimination laws, Bowtell said the Gillard Government had committed to reviewing such laws to ensure there would be no gaps.

“No gaps means no gaps,” Bowtell said.

Bowtell urged voters to work with party processes and said she was committed to pushing for change ahead of Labor’s next policy conference in 2011.

“I think the internal momentum is there.” Bowtell said. “I’m confident we’ll get there.”

Earlier in the week Higgins Labor candidate Tony Clark told JOY94.9 he supports same-sex marriage and would seek to overturn the party’s opposition if elected.